Remedy · supplement

Cranberry

Also: Vaccinium macrocarpon, cranberry juice, cranberry extract

Cranberry products modestly cut the risk of recurrent UTIs in women.

Active compounds Proanthocyanidins (PACs)

Evidence by condition

Each grade reflects the research for Cranberry and that condition specifically.

B
Recurrent urinary tract infection
Reduces the risk of recurrent symptomatic UTIs in women by about a quarter (RR 0.74); a 2023 Cochrane update is more favourable than the older review. For prevention, not treating an active infection.
1 citation
- Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections
  Systematic review 2023 · n=8,857 · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · PMID 37947276 · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD001321.pub7

After years of mixed results, the updated Cochrane review tipped cranberry back into “modestly helpful” for preventing recurrent UTIs in women. It does nothing for an active infection, which needs proper assessment and usually antibiotics.

What researchers studied

These describe how the remedy was used in studies — not a dose or a recommendation.

Form studied: cranberry juice, capsules, or tablets (standardized to proanthocyanidins)
Amounts in trials: varied across trials

Safety

Likely safe in pregnancy

Interactions: may raise INR with warfarin (monitor)
Contraindications: history of oxalate kidney stones (high intake)
Side effects: GI upset; juice adds sugar/calories

Safety data is not exhaustive. Always check with a clinician or pharmacist before combining remedies or medications.

Tradition vs. evidence

Traditional use is context, not proof. Here is what older systems claim, and how modern research treats it.

Western herbalismEvidence aligns
A long-standing folk remedy for bladder health.